Macro- and microplastic accumulation in soil after 32 years of plastic film mulching.

Current understanding of subsurface transport of micro- and nanoplastics in soil

Soil plastisphere: Exploration methods, influencing factors, and ecological insights

In-field degradation of soil-biodegradable plastic mulch films in a Mediterranean climate.

Bio-based and biodegradable plastics are considered as plastics of the future owing to their ability to decompose under various environmental conditions. However, their effects on the soil microbiome are poorly characterised. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of an important bio-based and biodegradable plastic, polybutylene succinate-co-adipate (PBSA), on soil microbial diversity and community composition using high-resolution molecular technique (Illumina sequencing) targeting all three microbial domains: archaea, bacteria, and fungi. Adding high load of PBSA to soil (6% (w/w)) caused a significant decline in archaeal (13%) and fungal (45%) richness and substantial changes in both bacterial (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria) and fungal (Eurotiomycetes, Sordariomycetes, Leotiomycetes, and Dothideomycetes) community composition compared with no PBSA addition to soil. The combined effects of PBSA and (NH4)2SO4 fertilisation on the soil microbiome were much greater than the effects of PBSA alone. We only detected opportunistic human pathogens in low abundance on PBSA and in the surrounding soil. However, some plant pathogenic fungi were detected and/or enriched on the PBSA films and in surrounding soil. Apart from plant pathogens, many potential microbial control agents and plant growth-promoting microorganisms were also detected/enriched owing to PBSA addition. Adding high load of PBSA together with (NH4)2SO4 fertilisation can either eliminate some plant pathogens or enrich specific pathogens, especially Fusarium solani, which is economically important. We conclude that high load of bio-based and biodegradable PBSA plastic may negatively affect soil microbiome.

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Analysis of microbial populations in plastic–soil systems after exposure to high poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) load using high-resolution molecular technique

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fochx.2022.100233

Fucose-containing bacterial exopolysaccharides: Sources, biological activities, and food applications

How to take representative samples to quantify microplastic particles in soil

Micro- and nanoplastics are inevitably generated from biodegradable plastics during weathering and degradation. In this perspective article, we discuss whether micro- and nanoplastics generated from biodegradable plastics, especially soil-biodegradable plastic mulches, are of environmental concern. The environmental risk of micro- and nanoplastics generated from soil-biodegradable plastic mulches depends on size, concentration, time of exposure, and polymer characteristics (e.g., surface charge and hydrophobicity), similar to that of micro- and nanoplastics from conventional plastics. We argue that micro- and nanoplastics generated from soil-biodegradable plastic mulches will likely not cause environmental harm if soil-biodegradable plastic mulches are disposed of appropriately into soil or compost, because soil-biodegradable plastic mulches can degrade in a relatively short time, limiting the accumulation and exposure of generated micro- and nanoplastics in the terrestrial environment. However, micro- and nanoplastics from soil-biodegradable plastic mulches can be of concern when inappropriate disposal or off-site transport to atmospheric and aquatic environments happens. In such cases, the micro- and nanoplastics can no longer degrade readily and have environmental impacts.

Yingxue Yu

Papers

Current understanding of subsurface transport of micro- and nanoplastics in soil

In-field degradation of soil-biodegradable plastic mulch films in a Mediterranean climate.

Fucose-containing bacterial exopolysaccharides: Sources, biological activities, and food applications

How to take representative samples to quantify microplastic particles in soil

Are micro- and nanoplastics from soil-biodegradable plastic mulches an environmental concern?